TEACHING unions have rejected the offer of a three per cent pay rise branding it "derisory".

In a joint statement unions said: "It was made clear by the teachers' side that this was a derisory offer and that it failed to redress the decade of detriment to teachers' pay."

Unions also attacked the nature of the offer from council umbrella body Cosla which includes a commitment to increase salaries at the top and bottom of the pay scale.

The statements adds: "It was also made clear that whilst changes to the scale would be welcomed, recruitment and retention of all teachers needed to be improved and all should receive a 10 per ent pay rise, in addition to any other changes."

The moves comes after headteachers described the offer as 'cynical and divisive'.

The Greens backed the move with education spokesman Ross Greer saying: "Unions are right to take a stand on teacher pay.

"It is misleading for Cosla and the Scottish Government to present this as some kind of unprecedented pay rise when those who would benefit the most will still only make up half the value their wage has lost over the last decade. Many will benefit far less than that."

At its AGM in June the Educational Institue of Scotland teaching union voted in favour of escalating to "strike readiness" and preparing for a ballot after the summer holidays unless a deal achieving the 10 per cent was reached.

The teachers' side of the SNCT said negotiations on pay are continuing and a further meeting is set for October 4.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Teachers' pay is a matter for the SNCT and negotiations for 2018-19 are continuing."

Cosla has urged unions to accept a £350 million pay deal for local government workers, warning any increase above the three per cent on offer for those earning up to £80,000 would result in cuts to jobs and services.

They said the offer "highlights our commitment to parity across the local government workforce".

Unite, Unison and the GMB have said they will recommend members reject the deal.